Viewing IR radiation with cell phone cameras

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the ability of cell phone cameras to detect infrared (IR) radiation emitted by IR LEDs, such as those found in remote controls. Participants confirm that the silicon sensors in these cameras are sensitive to IR wavelengths, particularly around 890nm, despite the presence of an IR block filter. The conversation also highlights that some webcams can have their IR filters removed to enhance IR detection capabilities. The effectiveness of this detection is attributed to the brightness of the IR LEDs and the inherent sensitivity of silicon to IR light.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of infrared radiation and its wavelengths
  • Familiarity with camera sensor technology, particularly silicon sensors
  • Knowledge of IR block filters and their purpose in imaging devices
  • Basic concepts of semiconductor materials used in sensors
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of silicon sensors in relation to infrared detection
  • Explore methods for removing IR filters from webcams for enhanced IR imaging
  • Investigate the applications of IR detection in consumer electronics
  • Learn about the differences between various semiconductor materials used in camera sensors
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for electronics enthusiasts, camera technology developers, and anyone interested in the practical applications of infrared detection in consumer devices.

hagopbul
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TL;DR
trying to understand how ir radiation from a remote controller is detectable by cellphone camera
Hello All:

i saw some youtube videos on testing IR controllers on normal with no add ons Cell phone camera and the cell phone screen is showing signal emitted by the IR LED of the remote controller , how the cell phone camera sensor are able to register a signal from an IR LED , the pixle in the sensor is semiconductor with a band gab corresponding for a color the IR is lower energy than most of the colors in the white light and the intensity of this IR LED is not even considered enough for any thing

i test it by my self with low power IR LED from an 5 year old remote of air conditioner and the screen of the cell phone registered or better say showed the detector blinking which i didnt understand due to the reasons i mentioned above

https://www.carolina.com/knowledge/2020/02/20/make-the-invisible-visible

Best
H.B.
 
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The detectors on the camera are all the same silicon with color filters. Silicon is most sensitive in the infrared (around 890nm) and so all cameras have an IR block filter also. Some leaks by and the LEDs are quite bright.
 
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hutchphd said:
The detectors on the camera are all the same silicon with color filters. Silicon is most sensitive in the infrared (around 890nm) and so all cameras have an IR block filter also. Some leaks by and the LEDs are quite bright.
One can also quite easily remove the IR filter from many webcam models, to build a IR head tracking system or similar.
 
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A reason for the introduction of IR filtration was the defeating of apparent denudation ##-## prior to then, video cameras could capture specifics (vaguely) of warm bodies through clothes.
 
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For silicone it is 1100 nm or close to that , but I wasn't aware that they use silicone in camera sensor also , I was under the impression that the semiconductor in the sensor is tuned to specific wave length the gallium and other gallium semiconductors are close to 800 nm

Every pixel in camera are composed usually of some sensors tuned for specific wave length

That why the detection of ir wavelength was just not clear
 

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